Automatic generating plant



Oct. 9, 1934.

AUTOMATIC GENERATING PLANT Filed Jan. 5, 1934 INVENTOR BEAN/f0 LAZIcH Y ca 5% M HIS A TTORNEY B. LAZICH 1,976,236

Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED s'r Tss PATENT OFFICE 1,978,236 AUTOMATIC GENERATING PLANT Branko Lazich, Edgewood, Pa. Application January 5, 1934, Serial No. 705,349 13 Claims. (Cl. 290-40) generating plants for More pargenerating My invention relates to automatic plants, and particularly to generating farm lighting p poses and the like. ticularly my invention relates to 8 plants for generating high voltage alternating current, and has for an object the provision of novel means for automatically starting the plant, by means of a low voltage source of direct current, in response to a demand for current on the distribution mains, and for automatically stopping the plant as soon as the demand for current on the mains ceases.

I will describe one form of generating plants embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one form of generating plant embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing a modification of a portion -01 the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character A designates an alternator, and the reference character B designates a prime mover for driving the alternator A. The prime mover B may be of any suitable type, but as here illustrated, this prime mover'comprises an internal combustion engine of conventional design provided with the usual magneto 3, and with a speed controlling throttle 4 operated by a speed governor 5.

The engine B is adapted to be cranked by a low voltage starting motor C in a manner which I will describe hereinafter. The starting motor 0 is of the usual series type, and comprises an armature 6 and a series field winding 7. This 3 motor is normally disconnected from the engine when the engine is stopped, but becomes automatically connected with the engine as soon as current is supplied to the motor and subsequently remains connected with the engine until the en- LO gine starts; or, in case the engine fails to start, until the supply of current to the motor is cut off. The mechanism for efiecting the connection of the motor with the engine is of well known construction, and since it also forms no part of 5 my present invention, it is likewise omitted from the drawing for the sake of simplicity.

The motor C is controlled by a contactor D which, in turn, is controlled by a thermal time J element relay E, a centrifugal switch F, and a low voltage direct current repeater relay H. The contactor D is of the conventional type, and comprises a winding 8 and a contact 9-10-11 which is open or closed according as the winding 8 is i tie-energized or energized.

' The thermal time'element relay E comprises a bimetallic strip 12 surrounded by a heating winding 13, and provided with a contact member 14 which cooperates with a fixed contact member 15. The heating winding 13 is adapted to be con- 00 nected in the circuit for motor C in such manner that any current which is supplied to the motor will flow through this winding, and the parts are so proportioned that the contact member 14 will normally engage the fixed contact member 15 to close a contact 14-15, but that, when the engine is being cranked by the motor, if the engine fails to start within a reasonable time the strip 12 will deflect toward the left and move the contact member 14 out of engagement with the contact member 15 to open the contact 14-15.

The centrifugal switch F comprises a governor 40 which is operatively connected with the engine B, and a contact 16-17 which is controlled by the governor 4D. The parts are so propor- 1| tioned that the contact 16-17 is closed when the engine is at rest, but becomes opened as soon as the engine attains its normal operating speed.

The relay H is controlled by a sensitive direct current relay G which is adapted to operate on the same voltage as relay H, and the relay G, in turn, is controlled by an alternating current relay J which is adapted to operate on the same voltage as that generated by the alternator A.

As will appear hereinafter, during the starting 86 of the engine B, the relay G is supplied with current from a low voltage source of direct current, here shown as a battery P, but when the engine is running it is desirable that this relay should then be supplied with current from the 00 alternator A. To permit this to be done, the relay is connected by means of wires 88 and 22 with the output terminals 41 and 42 of a full wave rectifier L, the input terminals 43 and 44 of which are connected with the secondary winding 45 of a transformer K, the primary winding 46 of which is included in the load circuit for alternator A. The rectifier L may be of any suitable type, but as here fllustrated, it is ofthe well known copper oxide variety. former K may also be of any suitable type, but will preferably be of the type which maintains a substantially constant secondary voltage regardless of the current flowing in its primary winding, this latter type of transformer com- 106 monly being referred to as a "saturating transformer.

The alternator A may supply current to any suitable load over a pair of current distribution mains 1 and 2, the particular load here shown 110 for purposes of illustration comprising a pinrality of electric lamps N N", N etc., which are connected with the distribution mains 1 and 2 over switches 8 S", 8 etc. in the usual manner.

The operating of the apparatus as a whole is as follows: When no demand for current exists on the distribution mains l and 2, the engine B is stopped and the alternator A is disconnected from the mains, the magneto 3 under these conditions being grounded over a circuit passing from the magneto through wire 18, back contact 19 of relay J, back contact 20-20.! of relay G,

and wires 21, 22 and 23 to ground at M. when,

however, a demand for current occurs on the distribution mains, as when one of the switches S, for example the switch S becomes closed, a pick-up circuit becomes completed for relay G and current flows from battery 1? through wires 23 and 22, winding of relay G, wire 24, back contact 25-25 of relay J, istribution main 2, switch S lamp N distrihu on main 1, and wire 26 back to battery P. As was previously pointed cu, relay G is a sensitive relay, and the current supplied to this relay over the circuit just traced causes this relay to pick up and open its beefs contact 20-20 and close its front contact 20-20. The opening of back contact 211-26" of relay G removes the ground irom the engine magneto 3 so that the magneto may opcrate, while the closing of front contact 20-20 of this relay completes a circuit for relay H passing trom battery P through wires 23, 22 and 21,

trout-contact 20-20 01' relay G, wire 2'7, winding of relay H, and wire 28 back to battery P. The resultant energization of relay H causes this relay to close its front contacts 30 and 52, and whemfron't contact 30 of relay H becomes closed, current issupplied to contactor D over a circuit which may be traced from battery P through wires 31 and 32, contact 16-17 of centrifugal switch F, wire 33, bimetallic strip 12 of thermal relay E, contact 14-15 of thermal relay E, wire 3%, winding 8 of contactor D, wire 35, front contact, 30 of relay H, and wires 36, 3'7 and 28 back to'jbattery P. Contactor D therefore picks up and closes its contact 9-10-11, thereby completing a cranking circuit for motor C passing from battery P through wire 31, armature 6 and field winding 7 of motor C, winding 13 -of thermal relay E, wire 47, contact 9-10-11 of contactor I), and wire 48 back to battery P. The current supplied to motor 0 over this cranking circuit normally causes the motor to start the engine, and when the engine comes up to speed, the centrifugal switch F opens its contact 16-17. This interrupts the circuit which was previously closed for contactor D, and contactor D therefore becomes de-energized and de-energizes the motor.

It should be noted at this point, that if, when the cranking circuit for motor 0 becomes closed in the manner just. described, the motor fails to start within a reasonable time, thermal relay E will open its contact 14-15, and will thus cause contactor D to become de-energized and interrupt the cranking circuit for motor C, so as to prevent an abnormal discharge of battery P. I

As soon as the engine B starts, the alternator A becomes operative, and when this happens relay J becomes energized by virtue of a circuit which became closed when front contact 52 of relay H became closed, and which may be traced from the upper terminal of alternator A through wire 49, winding of relay J, wire 50, front contact 52 of relay H, and wires 37, 28 and 26 to the lower terminal of alternator A. The energizatlon of relay J interrupts the pick-up circuit previously traced for relay G including lamp N and completes the load circuit, which latter circuit may be traced from the upper terminal of alternator A through wire 49, primary 46 of transformer K, wire 51, iront contact 25 -25 of relay J, line wire 2, switch S Iampv N, and line wire 1 back to the other terminal of alternator A. The current flowing in this circuit causes lamp N to become lighted, and since primary 46 oi transformer K is included in this circuit, it also causes relay G to be supplied with current through rectifier L. It will be seen, therefore, that when relay J becomes energized. relay G will remain energized even though the pick-up circuit for this relay is then opened at back contact 25-25 of relay J. As long as relay J remains inergized, relay H also remains energized, and i follows that the generating plant will now continue to operate as long as the demand for current on the distribution mains i and 2 continues to exist.

When the demand for current on the distribution mains 1 and 2 ceases, the current flowing in the primary 46 of transformer K ceases, and relay G then becomes de-energized and de-energiaes relay H. The de-energization of relay H, in turn, re-energizes relay J, and when relay J becomes de-energized, it disconnects the alternator A from the distribution mains and completes the previously traced grounding circuit for magneto 3. The completion of the grounding circuit for magneto 8 renders this magneto inoperative, thus stopping the engine B. As soon as the en ine 3 becomes stopped all parts are restored to the positions in which they are illustrated in the 11 drawing.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a generating plant which starts automatically as soon as a demand for current on the distribution mains occurs, and stops automatically as soon as this demand ceases.

It should be pointed out that while in Fig. l I have shown the contactor D and relay J as being controlled by a relay H which is a repeater of relay G, relay H can be eliminated by design- 1% ing relay G so that it will have two additional contacts 30 and 52 as shown in Fig. 2 and still be sensitive enough to operate on small values of direct current such as would be obtained if the battery P were a six volt battery and the minimum load to be connected across the line had a resistance equivalent to that of a twenty-five watt lamp.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of automatic generating plants em- 13) bodylng my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. 135

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator, a pair of current distribution mains, a 14 source of direct current, means responsive to a demand for current on said mains for starting said prime mover by means oi energy supplied by said source of direct current, a transformer having a primary winding, means eifective when 1 5 said prime mover becomes started for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains in series with the primary winding of said transformer, and means controlled by said transformer 01 automatically stopping said prime mover when 5 the demand for current on said distribution mains ceases.

2. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime move: for driving said alternator, a pair of current distribution mains, a sourcevof direct current, meansresponsive to a demand for current on said mains for starting said prime mover by means of energy supplied by said source of direct current, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, means eil'ective when said prime mover becomes started for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains in series with the primary winding of said transformer, a rectifier, a direct current relay connected with the secondary winding of said transformer through said rectifier, whereby said relay will be energized by current from said prime mover whenever said prime mover is supplying current to said distribution mains, and means for automatically stopping.

said prime mover when said relay becomes de-energized.

3. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover for driving said al ternator, a storage battery, a pair of current distribution mains, a direct current relay, means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or de-energized; means efiective when a load becomes connected across said mains for completing a pick-up circuit for said relay including said storage battery,

said load, and said distribution mains; means eilective when said prime mover becomes started in response to the resultant energization of said relay for connecting said alternator with said mains and for interrupting the pick-up circuit for said relay, and means eiiective when said alternator becomes connected with mains for supplying said relay with direct current from said alternator as long as said alternator continues tosubply current tosaid mains.

4. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator, a storage battery,.a pair of current distribution mains, a direct current relay, means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or de-energized; means eilective when a load becomes connected across said mains for completing a pickup circuit for said relay including said storage battery, said load, and said distribution mains; means effective when said prime mover becomes started in response to the resultant energization of said relay for connecting said alternator with said maim and :or interrupting the pick-up circuit for' said relay, and means effective when said alternator becomes connected with mains for supplying said relay with direct current from said alternator as long as said load remains connected with said mains.

5. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a pair of current distribution mains, a source of direct current, a relay, means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or deenergized. means responsive to a demand for current on said mains for energizing said relay from said source of direct current over said mains until said prime mover starts, means effective when said prime mover starts for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains, and means efl'ective after said alternator becomes connected with said mains for subsequently supplying said relay with current from said alternator as long as the demand for current on said mains continues.

8. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover for driving sald' alternator, a pair of current distribution mains, a storage battery, it direct current relay. means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or lie-energised, means responsive to a demand for current on said mains torch-818 5 .118 said relay from said source of direct current until said prime mover starts, a transformer having a primary and a secondary winding, means eflective when said prime mover starts for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains in series with the primary winding of said transformer, and means receiving energy from the secondary windingof 1 said transformer for supplying said relay with direct current.

"I. An automatic generating. plant comprising i an alternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator, a pair of current distribution mains, i a storage battery, a direct current'relay, means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or de-energiaed, means responsive to a demand for current on said mains for energizing said relay from said source of direct current until said prime mover starts, a

transformer having a primary and a secondary winding, means controlled by said and effective when said prime mover starts connecting said alternator with said distribution mains 1 in series with the primary winding of said tramformer, and means receiving energy fromthe secondary winding of said transformer for supplying said relay with direct current.

8. An automatic generating plant comprising ll an alternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator, a direct current relay, means for starting and stopp n said plant according as said relay is energized or de-energized, a source of direct current, means for connecting said direct current relaywith said source of current when a demand for current exists on said distribution mains, an alternating current relay, means eil'ective when said direct current relay is energized for connecting said alternating current relay with said alternator, means effective when said alternating current relay becomes energized for disconecting said direct current relay from said source of direct current and for connecting said alternator with said distribution 13 mains, and means effective after said alternator becomes connected with said distribution mains for supplying said direct current relay with direct current from said alternator until the demand for current on said mains continues.

5'. An aut matic geneating plant comprising an alternator, a prime move:- for driv ng said alternator, a direct current relay,.means for starting and stopping said plant according as said relay is energized or de-energized, a source of direct 184 current, means for connecting said direct current relay with said source of current when a demand for current exists on said distribution mains, an alternating current relay, means effective when said direct current relay is energized for connecting said alternating current relay with said altenator, a transformer having a primary and a secondary winding, means effective when said alternating current relay is energized for disconnecting said direct current relay from said source of direct current and for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains in series with the primary winding of said transformer, and means including a rectifier for connectingsaid 4*; .v 'directcurrentrelay with-thesecondarywinding -i0.A generating plant an alternator,aprimemover iordrivingsaidalternator,a pairoiourrentdistributionmainaanalternating currentrelay,asourceoidirect'current,adirect currentrelay,meansiorsupplyingsaiddirect currentrelaywlthcurrenti'romsaidsourceoi directcunentintoademandiorcurrent on'said distribution mains to energize said direct H tribution mains continues, and means ed'ective when said direct current relay becomes de-energised ior stoppingsaid prime mover.

11. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover ior driving said alternator, a storage battery, is sensitive direct current relay, a load, a pair oi current distribution mains, a switch ior connecting said load with said distribution mains: a circidt i'or said sensitive rei lay including said storage battery, a back contact oi said alternating current relay, said distribution 'mains,saldload,andsaidswitch; are'peaterrelay,

a circuit for said including said storage battery and a front contact of said sensitive relay: a circuit for said alternating current relay including said alternator and a front contact oi said repeater relay, a transformer having a primary and a secondary winding; a circuit for said load including said alternator, the primary winding oi said transformer, a front contact oi said alternating current relay, said distribution mains and said switch; means including a rectifler i'or connecting said sensitive relay with the secondary primary of said transformer, starting means for said prime mover controlled by said repeater relay, and means for stopping said prime mover controlled by said sensitive 5 13. an automatic generating il snt comprising. an altematona prime mover ior driving said al-. ternaior provided with a magneto, a source of direct current, a pair at distribution mains, a load, a switch iorconnecting said lead with said distribution mains, a sensitive direct current relay. an alternating current relav: a circuit ior said semi-1 tiverelayincludingsaidsouroaabaekcontactoi' said alternating current relay, said distribution mains,saidloadandsaidswitch.adirectcurrent repeater relay, a circuit for said repeater relay including said source and a front contact oi. said sensitive relay. a circuit for said alternating current relay including said alternator and a iront contact 0! said repeater relay. a saturating transiormer having lm'imaryandasecondarywinding; alosd circuit including said alternator, the primary winding oi said transiormer, a iront contact 0! said alternating c nt ay: said distribution mains, said switch and said load, means including a rectifier ior connecting said sensitive relay with the secondary winding of said transformer. a grounding circuit ior said magneto including a back contact of said alternating current relay and a back contact of said sensitive relay, and means controlled by said repeater relay for starting said prime mover.

' 13. An automatic generating plant comp an alternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator provided with a magneto. a source oi 1 direct cm'rent, a pair oi distribution mains, a load. a switch 101' connecting said lead with said distribution mains, a sensitive direct current relay, analternating current relay; a circuit for said sensitive relay including said source, a back con- 1 tact oi said alternating current relay, said distribution mains,said load and said switch: a circuit ior said alternating current relay including said alternator and a front contact 01' said sensitive relay, a saturating transformer having a pri-- 1 mary and a secondary winding; a load circuit including said alternator, the primary winding oi said transformer, a iront contact oi said alternating current relay, said distribution mains, said switch and said load; a grounding circuit ior said 1 magneto including a back contact of said alternating current relay and a back contact oi said sensitive relay, and means controlled by said sensitive relay for starting said prime mover.

BRANKO LAZICH. 1

DISCLAIMER 1,976,236.Brcnkc ,Laziclt, Edgewood, Pa. Au'rous'no GENERATING PLANT. Patent dated October 9, 1934. Disclaimer filed November 21, 1935, by

, the assignee, Westinghouse Electric ch Manufacturing Company.

Hereb enters this disclaimer to that part of the claim in said specification which is in the 0 owing words, to wit:

1. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover for driving saidalternator, a pair of current dlstribution means, a source Of d11'60l3 current, means responsive to a demand for current on said means for startlng said prime mover by means of energy supplied by said source of direct current, a transformer having a primary winding, means effective when said prime mover becomes started for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains in series with the primary windmg of said transformer,- and means controlled by said'transfdrmer for automatically stopping said prime mover when the demand for current on said distribution mains ceases.

2. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime movenfor driving said alternator, a pair of current distribution mains, a source of direct current, means responsive to a demand for current on said mains for startmg said prime mover by means of energy supplied by said source of direct current, a transformer h primary wmdmg and a secon ary winding, means effective when said prime mover becomes started for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains in series with the primary winding of said transformer, a rectifier, a direct current relay connected with the secondary winding of said transformer through said rectifier, whereby said relay will be energized by current from said prune mover whenever said prime mover is supplying current to said distribution mains, and means for automatically stopping said prime mover when said relay becomes ole-energized.

3. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator, a storage battery, a pair of current distribution mains, a direct current relay, means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or de-energized; means efl'ective when a load becomes connected across said mains for completing a pick-up circuit for said relay including said storage battery, said load, and said distribution mains; means eiiective when said prime mover becomes started in response to the resultant energization of said relay for connecting said alternator with said mains and for interrupting the pick-up circuit for said relay, aid means effective when said alternator becomes connected with mains for supplyingsaid relay with direct current from said alternator as long as said alternator continues to supply current to said mains.

"4. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a rime'mcver for driving said alternator, a storage battery, a pair of current distribution mains, a

f direct current relay, means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or de-energized means effective when a load becomes connected across said mains for completing a pick-up circuit for said relay including said storage a battery; said load, and said distribution mams; means effective when said prime mover 7 becomes started in response to the resultant energization of said relay for connecting said alternator with said mains and for interrupting the pick-up circuit for said relay, and means effective when said alternator becomes connected with mains for supplying said relay with direct current from said alternator as long as said load remains connected with said mains.

'5. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a pair of current distribution mains, a source of direct current, a relay, means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or deener ed, means responsive to a demand for current on said mains for energizing said re ay from said source of direct current over said mains until said prime mover starts, means eflective when said prime mover starts for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains,

and means efiective after said alternator becomes connected with said mains for subsequently supplying said relay with current from said alternator as long as the demand for current on said mains continues.

"6. An automatic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover for g said alternator, a pair of current distribution mams, a storage battery, a

direct cm'rent relay, means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energized or de-energized, means responsive to a demand for current on said mains for energizing said relay from said source of direct current until said prime mover starts, a transformer having a primary and a secondary winding, means effective when said prime mover starts for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains in series with the primary winding of said transformer, and means receiving energy from the secondary winding of said transformer for supplying said relay with direct current.

7. An automatic generating lant comfisrising an alternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator, a pair 0 current tribution mains, a storage battery, a direct current relay means for starting and stopping said prime mover according as said relay is energ zed or de-energized, means responsive to a demand for current on said mains for energizing said relay from said source of direct current until said prime mover starts, a transioriiier having a primary and a secondary winding, means controlled by said rel'a' and effective when said prime mover starts for connecting said alternator with sai distribution mains in series with the prima winding of said transformer, andmeans receiving energy from the secondary of said transformer for supp said relay with direct current.

"8. An au matic generating plant comprising an alternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator, a direct current relay means for starting and stopping said plant according as: said relagris energized or tie-energized, a source of direct current, means for connecting said ect current relay with said source of current when a demand for current exists on said distribution mains, an alternating current relay, means effective when said direct current relay is energized for connecting said alternatini cun'ent relay with said alternator, means effective when said alternating current relay ecomes energized for disconnec said direct current relay from said source of direct current and for connecting said temator with said distribution mains, and means effective after said alternator becomes connected with said distribution mains for supplying said'direct current relay with direct current from said alternator until the demand for current on said mains continues.

9. An automatic generating plant comp an alternator, a prime mover for driving said glternator a direct current rela means for starting and stopping said 3' plant according assaid rel is energized or de-energized, a source of direct current,

means for connecting said direct current relay with said source of current when a demand for current exists on said distribution mains, an alternating current relay, means efl'ective when said direct current relay is energized for connecting said alterna current relay with said alternator, a transformer having a primary and a secon ary winding, means efl'ective when said alternating current relay is one ed for disconnecting said direct current relay from said source of direct current an for connecting said alternator with said distribution mains in series with the primary winding of said transformer, and means including a rectifier for connecting said direct current relay with the secondary win of said transformer.

"10. A generating lant com rising an ternator, a prime mover for driving said alternator, a pair 0 current tribution mains, an alternating current relay, a source of direct current, a direct current relay, means for supplying said direct current relay with current from said source of direct current in response to a demand for current on said distribution mains to energize said direct current relay, means effective when said direct current relay becomes energized for starting said prime mover and for connecting said alternating current relay with said alternator, means effective when said alternating current relay becomes energized for connecting said distribution mains with said alternator, other means efiective when said alternating current relay becomes energized for cutting 05 the supply of direct current from said source of direct current to said direct current relay and for subsequently su pl and direct current relay with direct current from said alternator as ong as a eman for current on said distribution mains continues, and means efiective when said direct current Q relay becomes de-energized for sto ping said prime mover."

[Qflicwl Gazette December, 9 6 

